No. 49 ETSU quickly gets back on track with a 6-1 victory over Campbell

Junior Charles Bottoini

Saturday, March 20, 2010

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 20, 2010) - After seeing all of its winning streaks end Friday against No. 68 USC Upstate, the ETSU men's tennis team began a new streak Saturday as the Bucs dropped a much improved Campbell squad 6-1 at the Buddy Hartsell Tennis Center in Johnson City, Tenn.

With the win ETSU improved to 8-7 overall with a 5-1 A-Sun mark, while the Camels fell to an 11-3 mark with a 5-1 record in league play.

"I'm proud of the guys today," said head coach Yaser Zaatini. "Campbell has got better every season since we've joined the Atlantic Sun so as a coach after we got down a set in most of the singles matches I got a little bit worried. That being said, we have a team of fighters that are going to scrap and find a way to win even if they aren't playing their best tennis."

As play opened the ETSU took two out of three doubles contests for the early 1-0 lead. Campbell's lone win came from its 56th-ranked team of Davy Sum and Dominick Kaniewski.

The Bucs then extended their lead to 2-0 as junior Charles Bottoni (Bois Guillaume, France) picked up a quick 6-4, 6-4 victory over Loukas Wallaart at No. 4.

Campbell responded minutes later as Sum wrapped up a 6-4, 6-4 straight set win over Buc junior Grega Teraz (Mojstrana, Sloveina) pulling the Camels within one point at 2-1.

However, any momentum that CU had, faded as quickly as it came, as ETSU rallied back, after being a set down, at No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6.

Not to be outdone freshmen Jesus Bandres (Caracas, Venezuela) and Juan-Carlos Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay) stormed through with three set wins of their own over David Clavera and Josep Baro.

"I thought all our guys gave great efforts today," said Zaatini. "As a coach I sat back and watched a group of players, who were going against some quality opponents, play their hearts out when we needed it most. These last three matches (Stetson, Upstate and Campbell) have all been a tough stretch for our team so it was good to see guys like Sander, Danny, Juan-Carlos and Jesus all not quit in long matches."

The Bucs returns to action as they head to Nashville for a trio of contests next weekend against Lipscomb, Belmont and in-state rival Middle Tennessee.

DOUBLES

1.Davy Sum-Dominik Kaniewski d. Teraz-Bottoni (ETSU), 8-5

2. Gille-Bandres (ETSU) def. Larbi Lanzouri- Joesp Baro (CAMP), 8-6

3. Akser-Isaza (ETSU) def. Beto Modini-Loukas (CAMP). 8-4

SINGLES

1. Davy Sum (CAMP) def. Grega Teraz (ETSU), 6-4, 6-4

2. Sander Gille (ETSU) def. Larbi Lanzouri (CAMP) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

3Daniel Isaza (ETSU) def. Beto Mondini (CAMP), 3-6, 6-2, 6-4

4Charles Bottoni (ETSU) def. Louksas Wallaart (CAMP), 6-1, 6-3

5. Jesus Banders (ETSU) def. David Clavera (CAMP), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3

6. Juan-Carlos Ramirez (ETSU) def. Josep Baro (CAMP), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

For more information on the ETSU men's tennis team please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.